NaCSA Modernizes Data of 11,606 Aged Beneficiaries to Streamline Transition into SSN Sub-Component of the PSSNYE Project...

In a bold stride toward inclusive development, the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has commenced a strategic data upgrade exercise across ten districts in Sierra Leone, targeting 11,606 aged beneficiaries. This initiative is a crucial step in integrating these individuals into the Social Safety Net (SSN) sub-component of the government’s flagship Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project.

Funded by a $42 million grant from the World Bank, the PSSNYE Project is a pioneering five-year effort that addresses multifaceted poverty through a blend of direct cash transfers, youth employment schemes, and community-driven development. At the heart of this program is the drive to empower the nation’s most vulnerable populations—not just economically, but socially and structurally.

NaCSA, leading the charge in implementation, is partnering with key stakeholders including Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), mobile operators and local councils. Together, they aim to create a resilient and efficient delivery ecosystem for social protection services.

This data upgrade is more than just administrative fine-tuning—it represents a paradigm shift in how aged citizens are enrolled, verified, and served. The exercise involves advanced biometric registration, GPS-based geolocation mapping, household validation, and the provision of necessary project information. These measures ensure accurate identification, reduce fraud, and enable timely and secure transfer of funds—even to remote villages often excluded from formal financial systems.

To support the rollout, dedicated field officers and community focal points are actively engaging local populations. Community awareness campaigns, like the one held recently in Bo District, are helping demystify the transition and build public confidence. Speaking during one such event, Madam Aminata Vandi, Regional Coordinator for the Southern Region, emphasized the human dimension of the program: *“This isn’t merely a database update—it’s a promise. A promise that our elderly citizens will no longer be invisible in the systems meant to protect them.”*

To bolster transparency, the Anti-Corruption Commission is deploying its robust Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), offering beneficiaries a trusted avenue to report inconsistencies or misconduct. This adds a vital layer of accountability to the process and reinforces the program’s credibility at the grassroots level.

By transitioning aged beneficiaries into a reformed and digitized safety net, NaCSA is not only enhancing service delivery but also reaffirming the government’s commitment to fairness, equity, and dignified aging. The modernization of beneficiary data is setting the stage for a more agile, responsive, and inclusive welfare system—one that reflects the aspirations of Sierra Leone’s National Social Protection Policy.

This initiative, while technical in execution, is deeply humanitarian in purpose. It demonstrates how precision, technology, and compassion can converge to ensure that no citizen—regardless of age or geography—is left behind.

*For further information on this and other matters, please contact:*

*The Information, Education and Communication Unit*

*+23278155556/+23277022709/+23230518539*